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WHEREAS, the United Nations has declared 1993-2002 as the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons;

WHEREAS, Proclamation No. 125 dated 15 January 1993 was issued for the nationwide observance of the Decade of Disabled Persons and to reiterate government’s commitment to develop and implement programs and services for persons with disabilities;

WHEREAS, R.A. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons was approved on 24 March 1992 to ensure the rehabilitation and over-all development of disabled persons and integrate them into the mainstream of society;

WHEREAS, there is need to fast-track the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive and integrated plan of action to promote the rehabilitation, self-reliance and development of persons with disabilities and undertake immediate measures to address the sector’s needs, concerns, issues and problems; and

WHEREAS, there is need to create a body which shall formulate strategic interventions and provide expeditious response to address the immediate concerns of persons with disabilities.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby order the following:

SECTION 1.Creation of a Task Force to Address the Concerns of Persons with Disabilities. There is hereby created a Task Force to Address the Concerns of Persons with Disabilities hereinafter referred to as the “Task Force.”

SEC. 2. Composition. The Task Force shall be composed of the following:

a. Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development	–	Chairman
b. Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government	–	Co-Chairman
c. Secretary, Department of Labor and Employment	–	Member
d. Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry	–	Member
e Secretary, Department of Health	–	Member
f Secretary, Department of Education, Culture and Sports	–	Member
g Secretary, Department of Agrarian Reform and SRA Lead Convenor	–	Member
h Chairman, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office	–	Member
i Chairman, Philippine Amusement and Gaming, Corporation	–	Member
j. Chairman, Philippine Sports Commission	–	Member
k. Head, Rizal Council of Persons with Disabilities, Inc.	–	Member
l. Head, Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Inc.	–	Member

Concerned local government executives and representatives from other non-government organizations involved in the welfare of persons with disabilities, as may be determined by the Task Force, may be designated as members, consultants and/or advisers.

The members shall designate their permanent alternates to the Task Force whose ranks shall not be lower than a Director or its equivalent.

The Task Force is hereby authorized to call upon any department, bureau, office, agency or instrumentality of the government, for such assistance as may be needed in the discharge of its functions.

SEC. 3. Functions. The Task Force shall have the following functions:

a. Ensure the formulation and implementation of an integrated action plan involving programs and projects to promote the rehabilitation, self-reliance and development of persons with disabilities;

b. Identify and immediately address gaps in the implementation of programs and laws benefitting persons with disabilities, especially the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons;

c Formulate strategic interventions and provide expeditious response to address the immediate concerns of persons with disabilities;

d Facilitate the conduct of fund-raising activities and formulate innovative schemes to ensure funding support for major activities for the sector, such as the First Philippine Wheelathon 1997;

e. Submit quarterly reports to the President; and

f Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the President.

SEC. 4. Staff Support. The National Council on the Welfare of Disabled Persons (NCWDP) Secretariat shall provide technical and secretariat support to the Task Force.

SEC. 5. Funding. Initially, the amount of TEN MILLION PESOS (P10,000,000.00) and FIVE MILLION PESOS (P5,000,000.00) shall be released from the OP-DBM savings/reserves and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), respectively, for the identified priority programs/activities for PWDs in 1997. The NCWDP, as the Task Force Secretariat, shall serve as the fund depository and receive the funds, for and on behalf of the Task Force. The Task Force shall manage, dispose and exercise control over the utilization of said funds.

Thereafter, appropriations for other programs and projects shall be incorporated in the regular budget of the concerned agencies.

SEC. 6. Effectivity This Executive Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 9th  day of December in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Six.

(SGD.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary